Kennebec Historical Society to present Flatiron building tour

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Cynthia Milliken Taylor will be speaking on the historic aspects of the Cony Flatiron Building, which was rededicated on July 28, 2015, the restoration efforts and the adaptive re-use for senior living. Cynthia has an architectural degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and 30 years of experience in redeveloping old and new buildings for seniors in Maine and New Hampshire. With an interest in improving the lives of many older people and an eye for quality design she has developed over 3,500 apartments and completed the financing and renovations of numerous historic buildings including the Inn at City Hall and the Cony Flatiron, in Augusta. Taking a leadership role in creative financing, construction and community building, she has tried to benefit those who live within and those who value their neighborhoods and cities through economic development. Please join us at Cony Flatiron for an historic presentation on the old and the new Cony High School.

The Kennebec Historical Society September Public Presentation is free to the public (donations gladly accepted) and will take place on Wednesday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cony Flatiron Senior Residence, located at 110 Cony Street, in Augusta. Please note this is our monthly program and is separate from the program that will be held September 28 at the KHS annual meeting.

Cony High School flatiron building

A renovated hallway in the old Cony High School flatiron building, located near the west side traffic circle, will be the subject of the Kennebec Historical Society’s monthly program.
Contributed photo

Erskine accepts challenge to raise donations for food bank

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Erskine Academy, in South China, will compete in WGME 13/Fox 23’s School Spirit Challenge to benefit Good Shepherd Food Bank.  The School Spirit Challenge is a friendly competition among high schools to show school pride and spirit while helping communities address hunger in Maine through a month-long food and fund drive.  Although initiated by the students and faculty of Erskine Academy, the hope is that this will be a larger community cause and effort.  Please join Erskine’s effort by bringing your contribution of any size—financial donations or food—to the school between September 2 and October 28, 2016.  To kick off this event, WGME 13/Fox 23 will be broadcasting live from the Erskine Academy gym on Friday, September 9, from 6 – 8 a.m.  Erskine Academy’s event is the first to be held in the new school year, setting the bar for others.  Please contact the school at 445-2962 for more information.

Erskine Academy third trimester honor roll

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GRADE 12

High honors: Amelia Bailey, Samantha BeDen, Lilja Bernheim, Jordan Bowie, Mikayla Brochu, Mallory Chamberlain, Caleigh Charle­bois, Sierra Christiansen, Abigail Cooper, Kaitlyn Darveau, Julia Fasano, Anne Gauvin, Mac­kenzie Gayer, Theresa Gervais, Monica Gilbert, Kayla Goggin, Amber Grady, Jessica Grant, Traviana Higgins, Taber Hill, Christina Hodgkins, Kinsey Johnson, Lexi Johnson, Meagan Johnson, Hanna Keene, Olivia Leary, Wynn Libby, Emma McCormac, Annemarie Morse, Merlin Murphy, Kanyapak Ongkabin, Brianna Parisien, Teya Paulin, Anthony Pizzo, Sarah Pleau, Cassandra Ray, Autumn Read, Rachel Read, Sadie Reed, Sidney Rodrigue, Alainie Sawtelle, Lilly Sawtelle, Michaela Sprague, Dayna Tinling Alexander, Malorie Weaver, Julia White and Kyle Zembroski. Honors: Talya Avery, Caleb Barden, Michayla Barrett, Cody Beaudoin, Renee Beaudoin, Christopher Brown, Amber Chesley, Matthew Clary, Alysia Csengery, Denver Cullivan, Ryan Cummings, Trevor Devine, Megan Dunn, Adam Fenderson, Cassandra Goodine, Jens Hansen, Dylan Hickey, Katharine Holzwarth, Trevor Hubbard, Michael Keefer, Cheyenne Kritz, Michelle Lemelin, Sean McGrail, Kayla McKenney, Celina Nadeau, Kendrick Nikornpan, Maxwell Pacholski, Ashley Patten, Luke Peabody, Ryan Pedersen, Django Pignatello, Colbey Plaisted, Tori Poulin, Shyanne Quimby, Reid Rauch, Joshua Reed, Patrick Rodgers, Anthony Sepulvado, Gabriel Solorzano, Madelyn Spencer, Jake Suga, Sara Tibbetts, Samantha Tobey, Raymond Weymouth, Jerold Winslow, Eric Wormell, Tyler Wysocki and Jing Athena Xue.

GRADE 11

High Honors: Seth Allen, Erica Basham, Beth Bowring, Andrew Browne, Hannah Burns, Ally Clark Bonsant, Emma Cote, Brandon Coulombe, Tanner Dow, Danessia Ewen, Nathaniel Harrington-Howard, Justin Harris, Abigail Haskell, Hayley Hinds, Katelyn Hustus, Audrey Jordan, Zachary Loubier, Mayann McGrath, Morgan Savage, Elliot Stinchfield, Eleanor Rose Theriault, Rosalie Wilson, Leann Wright, Yang Xi, Jessica Zhang and Justin Zhang. Honors: Taylor Batchelder, Veronica Black, Alexis Bonenfant, Jaime Boudreau, Michael Bourque, Daniel Brown, Kaitlyn Brundage, Makayla Busque, Joshua Buzzell, Julie Buzzell, Sagan Charlebois, Nicholle Clark, Tyler Condon, Terrence Conway, Sydney Cummings, Harley Denning, Benjamin Eason, Cody Elsemore, Ashley Farrington, Ian Ferguson, Phoebe Fleck, Joseph Gay, Gabriel Gervais, Madison Grass, McKenzie Haver, Aubrey Hendsbee, Kaleb Howard, Samuel Jamison, Jordan Jowett, Brandon Keezer, Allison May Kennedy, Jeffrey Kierstead, Miranda-Lee LaRose, Jenna Lully, Hunter Mahon, Tara Markle, Zachary Needham, Harrison Percival, Emily Plourde, Shirlynn Sears, Austin Shaw, Kelsey Stuart, William Sugg IV, Cody Taylor, Nicolas Turcotte, Caitlyn Van Wickler and Marc Walther.

GRADE 10

High Honors: Maggie Anderson, Courtney Austin, Mariah Blanchard, Miranda Carey, Harald Christiansen, Kylie Clark, Noelle Cote, Kalib Deschamps, Chelsea Duplessis, Bryanna Emery, Morgan Emond, Hannah Farrington, Shaylee Fisher, Jadelynn Giroux, Angel Hall-Stuart, Hunter Hoague, Abigail Hodgkins, Luke Hodgkins, Nicholas Howes, Kayla Hubbard, Carleigh Ireland, Samantha Jackson, Isabella Johnson, Kyle Kirkpatrick, Megan Lemieux, Rita McCausland, Kassandra Nadeau, Jakob Peavey, Gabriella Pizzo, Kaylee Porter, Leanna Prime, Mercedes Richard, Chantelle Roddy, Haoming Michael Shi, Kaili Shorey, Adam Silvia, Michael Sprague, Emma Stone, Makayla Tobey, Caleb Tyler, Lauren Wood and Olivia Wyman. Honors: Gabe Ashey, Cassidy Baldwin, Noah Bonsant, Victoria Chabot, Madison Choate, Alexander Cleaves, Bailey Cloutier, Kaitlyn Coston, Corvus Crump, Stephen Csengery, Caleb Daggett, Derrick Dyer, Brooke Fongemie, Hunter Gagnon, Madyson Geboskie, Brock Glidden, Jessika Goulet, Spenser Grasse, Elizabeth Green, Jonathan Hickey, Billy Howell III, Robin Jefferson, Bjorn Jorgensen, Rebecca Leavitt, Alexis Lee, Jordan Lewis, Andrew Lyon, Devin Mason, Emma Meader, Hunter Merrill, Harrison Mosher, Christopher Pelletier, Chance Reed, Michaela Roy, Emma Solorzano, Jillian St. Amand, Emma Sullivan, Alexis Tenney, Rebecca Truman, Tyler Walker, Christopher Wight, Martie Young, Morgan Young and Destiny Yvon.

GRADE 9

High Honors: Molly Babson, Gavin Blanchard, Lydia Boucher, Jenna Butler, Travis Dow, Marshall Dugal, Rohan Duvvuru, Samuel Falla, Ethan Hammond, Sage Hapgood-Belanger, Samantha Heath, Amber Rose Holmes, Peyton Houghton, Christopher Jamison, Jack Jowett, Kyli Julia, Morgaine Kmen, Olivia Kunesh, Caitlin Labbe, Noah Labbe, Haeden Landry, Milo Lani-Caputo, Paige Leary, Rivers Malcolm, Tara Maltese, Conner Paine, Jacob Praul, Seth Reed, Christina Roy, Conor Skehan, Braden Soule, Briana Strout, Elizabeth Sugg, Willow Throckmorton-Hansford, Mercedes Tibbetts, Megan To, Jack Tobey, Kassidy Wade, Hagen Wallace, Jacob Wright and Alana York. Honors: Brenna Audet, Alex Barney, Mark Barney, Nina Boudreau, William Bourque, Justin Browne, Arthur Carey, Nicholas Cates, Jonathan Condon, ArizonaLee Crooker, Megan Crouse, Mireya Dos Santos, Keara Doughty, Tiffany Doyle, Austin Dunn, Dakota Estes, Cameron Falla, Ethan Furlong, Madeline Geidel, Ashley Gillis, Regina Harmon, Alexis Haskell, Tristan Hawk, Eleanor Hodgkin, Kaleb Hopper, Alicia Hotham, Andrew Jackson, William Jones, Garrett Keezer, Dylan Keller, Robert King, Maverick Lowery, Osiris Marable, Mya Maxim, Noah Miller, Myles Nored, Isaiah Pacholski, William Pfleging, Christian Plante, Nicholas Rancourt, Hannah Reid, Andraya Roque, Hunter Rushing, Caleb Sacks, Seth Savage, Jessie Sepulvado, Krystina Shorey, Katherine Smith, Shayleigh Springer, Shaine Staples Jacob Tibbetts, Madison Toulouse, Caden Turcotte, Trent Wharton, Zachary Williams-Humphrey, Ashlyn Wing and Kendra Wormell.

Vassalboro Days: Saturday, September 10

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Free Bus Transportation along Route 32 between the North and East every half hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The school bus will run between the corner of Canal St. in the North, across from the Olde Mill to the old Red School House on China Lake with stops at the Grange, Town Office, St. Bridget’s, and the Olde Mill.

• VBA Ducky Derby and Raffle tickets on sale at their table !
• Craft Fair at the Olde Mill in the North, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Inflatable Slide and Bounce House and Kid’s Activities, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Maine Savings FCU Bean Toss Tent, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Face Painting by Connie, 1 – 3 p.m.
• Double Dam Ducky Derby, noon!
• Antique & Classic Car Show on the lawn of the Town Office, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Vassalboro Library Book & Food Sale & Silent Auction, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Grange. • Historical Society Open Houses, Displays and Fire House Sale in the East near and across from the Grange, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Boy Scout Bottle Drive for Dempsey Challenge-bring returnables!
• Lemieux’s Orchard corn maze, wagon rides, apple picking, noon – 4 p.m., at 210 Priest Hill Rd.
• D.J.Dudley will be at the Olde Mill from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., introducing performers and keeping everyone aware of what is going on!

Performers:

*1 – 2 p.m., Vassalboro’s own Abbie Watson!
* 2 – 3 p.m., The Talented Limberger Family of Vassalboro!
* 3 p.m., Jocelyn Begin, winner of Winslow’s 4th of July Idol Competition!

• St. Bridget’s Lawn Party and 90th Birthday Party from 2 – 4 p.m. Visit and enjoy a cup of lemonade, look over pictures and dreams for the future of the building. Donations gratefully accepted for these dreams.
• 6 – 9 p.m., Street Dance at the Olde Mill. DJ Dudley spinning the tunes. BYO chairs! Rain or shine! 50/50 raffle to benefit VBA causes.
Food Vendors for Saturday include Laurie’s Lunch Wagon and the Vassalboro Boy Scouts.

Sunday, September 11

• Noon, Mutt Strut sponsored by the Historical Society: bring your leashed, friendly mutt for a pet parade/walk. Meet at the Historical Society Red School House on the Lake.
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Antique & Classic Car Show on the lawn of the Town Office (only if it rained Saturday!)
• 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Vassalboro Library Buck a Bag Book Sale at Grange
• 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Historical Society Open Houses, Displays and Fire House Sale in the East near and across from the Grange.
• Noon – 4 p.m., Lemieux’s Orchard corn maze, wagon rides, apple picking at 210 Priest Hill Rd.
• 2 p.m., Performance by Kennebec Valley Chordsmen at the Historical Society.
• 4 p.m., Second Wind Band, ‘90s Country Cover Band to perform at the Olde Mill (rain or shine) to benefit the Vassalboro Fuel Fund.

BYO Chairs! What a great way to close out a great weekend!

Fairfield takes ownership of new truck

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by Mark Huard

In August 25, 2015, the Fairfield/Benton Emergency Services Department was awarded a federal grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Program through FEMA. The award amount for the department was a total of $725,000. The federal government portion of the grant would total $694,477. The town of Fairfield is required to match 5 percent of the grant and that came to a total of $34,523. The grant was written for the purchase of a Quint Style Ladder Truck.

Fairfield Fire

Fairfield Fire Chief Duane Bickford, left, and Firefighter Travis Leary.
Photo by Mark Huard/ Owner of Central Maine Photography

What is a Quint, you might ask? This is a multi-purpose apparatus that includes a pump, water tank, and also an aerial device. The truck was purchased from and built by Ferrara Fire Apparatus, of Hammond, Louisiana. The truck is a custom six man cab, on a Ferrara built chassis. It is equipped with a 2,000gpm pump, 400 gallon water tank, 77-foot steel ladder, an assortment of ground ladders, saws, and other hand tools.

This ladder truck will provide a great service to the towns of Fairfield and Benton that they have not had before. Also this makes the difficult task of firefighting a little safer and efficient for the department. This will allow the department faster and safer access to upper floors and roofs of buildings. The department responds to a vast area that includes several different occupancy types and sizes of buildings. The department covers around 84 square miles of territory, and responds to around 1,400 emergency calls for service a year. As chimney fire season is slowly creeping upon us this truck will be worth its weight in gold. As we all know trying to climb an aluminum ladder on a roof with two feet of ice and snow is not only difficult but extremely dangerous. This truck will allow the firefighters better access to the roof and possibly to stay off the roof all together. The department will be receiving three solid days of training from Ferrara in early September and also the members will be getting their time driving and pumping. Department policy requires all drivers to have 100 miles of driving on the apparatus, so don’t be surprised to see it driving on the roads.

As always, the department thanks the citizens of Fairfield and Benton in their continued support of the department and approving funding for advancing the department and service we provide.

Area students on Husson University’s presidents list

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The following area students have been named to the Spring 2016 presidents list at Husson University, in Bangor.

Lyndsay Weese, of Athens, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Shayne Brown, of Augusta,  is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Marketing Communications program.

Sophia Ramirez, of Augusta, ME is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.

Tabitha Willman, of Augusta, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Management program.

Samuel Jandreau, of China, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Zoe Mather, of China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Tyler Rollins, of China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Undeclared program.
Courtney Smart, of Cornville, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Leah LaBree, of East Vassalboro, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism program.

Spencer Folsom, of Fairfield, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Tennyson Martin, of Fairfield, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Kyleigh Plourde, of Jefferson, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) Certification program.

Alexis Prescott, of Liberty, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Makaela Michonski, of Norridgewock, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Amanda Saucier, of Norridgewock, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Darian Hughes, of Oakland, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology program.

Raina Rauch, of Palermo, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Kaitlyn Grover, of Skowhegan, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Cailee Manzer, of Skowhegan, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Ali York, of Skowhegan, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management program.

Christina Belanger, of South China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Meghan Farrell, of Vassalboro, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies program.

Destiny Silcott, of Windsor, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Logan Vashon, of Winslow, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

TIF committee makes first recommendations

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by Mary Grow

China’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Committee made its first recommendation to selectmen at the committee’s Aug. 29 meeting.

The committee asked selectmen to present to town voters on Nov. 8 Four Seasons Club President Frank Soares’ request for up to $50,000 for specified improvements on the club’s trails in town.  The vote was unanimous with Soares abstaining.

The trails are usually called snowmobile and ATV trails, but Soares emphasized that they are intended for walkers, skiers, horseback riders and others – though not for high-speed travelers or the four-wheel-drive trucks that have done damage in some areas.  One reason to make the improved sections up to 35 feet wide is to make room for ATV riders and horse riders to meet safely, he said.

Better trails will also improve access for emergency vehicles, he pointed out.

The proposed work includes bridging a wet area and the Sheepscot River.  These two projects will complete connections through the town, allowing people to follow a trail system from Wiscasset and the rest of the coast to Newport and thence throughout northern and western Maine, Soares said.  He expects some through-riders will patronize China’s restaurants.

Asked if there were enough local volunteers for routine trail maintenance, Soares said no.  Four Seasons Club membership is high, he said, but only a small number of “dedicated” people work on the trails.

Judy Stone of the Thurston Park Committee said her group, too, might seek TIF funding to help with access to the park and its trails.

TIF money is to be used for economic and community development.  China’s TIF plan includes development of recreational facilities, like trails.

Also discussed at the Aug. 29 meeting were the committee’s plans for improved fishing and boating access at the head of China Lake and the much less specific idea for development in South China Village, including the boat landing there.

One piece of the head of lake project is purchase of land owned by Susan Bailey and used informally for boat trailer parking.  Bailey originally offered to sell the town two pieces of land she owns; Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux said she is now willing to sell only the small, mostly-wetland lot the committee is interested in.

However, her asking price is well over the assessed value, and committee members considered it unreasonable.  They authorized L’Heureux to negotiate with Bailey for a significantly lower price.

At the committee’s previous meeting, member Dale Worster proposed a sweeping redesign of South China Village, with a new street of fashionable shops – not a shopping mall, he emphasized Aug. 29 – and a better boat landing.  His idea has two goals: to make China a place where people stop, instead of just driving through on their way to the coast, and to use the $5 million expected from the TIF over 20 years to make a visible impact.

South China residents Helen Hanson and Christopher Barnes attended the Aug. 29 meeting to ask committee members to leave the village as it is, a quiet residential area – although, Hanson joked, it would be nice if the sidewalk were extended past her house.      Committee Chairman Amber McAlister assured Hanson and Barnes the committee has no intention of imposing things – the town does not plan to buy from unwilling sellers or to use eminent domain for TIF projects.  She promised to keep Hanson informed of future discussions.

L’Heureux sees the area around Route 3 and the Hannaford supermarket as ripe for development.  He recommended committee members be proactive, lest the town be forced to react to unwelcome outside projects.

The Aug. 29 meeting opened with a presentation by Kennebec Valley Council of Governments Executive Director Rosie Vanadestine on revolving loan funds for local businesses.  Committee members intend to propose a fund to benefit new or expanding China businesses, but are not sure they can work out details in time for a Nov. 8 ballot question.

The next TIF Committee meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the town office.

Water level, weeds major topic at Webber Pond Association annual meeting

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Low water levels and a proliferation of weeds were the major topics of discussion during the annual Webber Pond Association meeting held on August 27, at the Vassalboro Community School.

Water levels on the pond have continued to drop since about mid-June. As of August 29, the water level was seven inches below the spillway. An ideal depth would be two inches below the spillway. With water levels that low, with a shallow pool like Webber, that is enough to create problems for almost every dock on the whole lake, according to Frank Richards, president of the association. “I understand the tendency to point the finger of blame,” he said. “However, I would argue that this is more of an instance where mother nature presented unmanageable conditions.”

According to the dam management plan presented by the Department of Environmental Protection in the early 1990s, the ideal depth is two inches below the spillway, so periodic adjustments are always needed throughout the summer to match the inflow and outflow. “Normally, a few boards are out during July,” explained Richards. “I’ve seen as many as two feet of boards out in July to balance heavy rainfall. Normally, all the boards are back in by August, when low rainfall is common.”

Richards went on to explain, “with the benefit of hindsight, we would have been better off to put in the last six inches of boards in early July instead of mid-July, two weeks earlier. Had we known there would be almost no rain from June on, we would have. If we had put that last six inches of boards in a couple of weeks earlier, I don’t think it would have made much difference. It’s hard to keep the pool close to the spillway when there’s almost no water entering the lake.”

The lack of rain, low water levels, warmer than normal water temperatures have contributed to the proliferation of Elodea Canadensis, or American pond weeds. Many of the causes for the thick weeds are mostly a guess, according to association vice president Charles Backenstose. “We’ve never seen anything like this before.” According to Nate Gray, biologist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the vegetation may be a nuisance, but it is harmless.

In summation, Richards said that in general things continue to go well on Webber Pond, with the water quality likely being the best ever prior to mid-July.

Backenstose confirmed that statement when he reported Secchi disk readings that showed clear water down to 21 feet in May, near record clarity. Since July 15, the Secchi disk readings have fallen to six feet. However, the water had begun to clear up by the end of August. “Some of the south end of the lake has experienced some floating “collections” late last week,” he added. “I believe the lack of rain has somewhat worsened the situation as little water is entering or leaving the lake to help with some flushing of algae.”

Bob Nadeau, Webber Pond Assn. representative to the China Regional Lakes Alliance noted that the association is available for erosion control work on property owners’ shoreline. With work being done by the Youth Conservation Corps, the group provides landowner consultations, hands-on erosion control work, design and project management, and courtesy boat inspectors. More information is available by contacting Jim Hart, CRLA president, 877-7125 or jimhart35@outlook.com, or Josh Platt, KCSWCD engineer, 622-7847 or josh@kcswcd.org. The group is always looking for projects.

Nadeau also reported of being in conversations with representatives of LakeSmart from China Lake and Three Mile Pond, about the possibility of organizing a group for Webber Pond.

Officers re-elected were President Frank Richards, Vice President Charles Backenstose, Secretary Rebecca Lamey and Treasurer Phil Haines. Directors re-elected included Robert Bryson, Scott Buchert, Mary Bussell, Darryl Fedorchak, Roland Hallee, Phil Innes, Jennifer Lacombe, Robert Nadeau, John Reuthe and James Webb. New directors elected were Susan Barham[Traylor and Stephen Pendly.

With little discussion, the drawdown date was set for Monday, September 19. It was recommended that unless deep water is available at your dock, most boats should be pulled either the Saturday or Sunday prior to the Monday date.

Before adjournment, it was motioned by a member to review the by-laws and make changes to only allow landowners and taxpayers who abutt the pond to be voting members of the association. After much heated, and at times, contentious discussion, the motion failed overwhelmingly, 36-4.

“The content of by-laws should always be open to review,” said Richards. However, “the officers and directors in 2012 were unanimous that being open [membership] was preferable for the Webber Pond Association. I think the consensus is still there.”

China sets tax rate at 15.5 mils

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by Mary Grow

At a special meeting Aug. 29, China selectmen set the 2016-17 tax rate at 15.5 mils ($15.50 for each $1,000 of valuation), as recommended by assessor William Van Tuinen.  The new rate is a decrease of 0.1 mils (10 cents per $1,000) from the 2015-16 rate.      Because state law has increased the homestead exemption for people whose Maine house is their principal residence from $10,000 to $15,000, homeowners who have made no taxable improvements to their property can expect their bills to go down by more than the rate decrease.  Owners of seasonal residences and businesses are likely to see a tax increase.

A letter selectmen signed to accompany tax bills explains that three of the four main components of local taxes increased – the school budget, the county budget and the municipal budget.  The fourth, China’s obligation to FirstPark in Oakland, remained the same.  However, increases in property valuations due to new building, plus a more determined effort to locate taxable personal property, increased tax revenue as well, making the slightly lower rate possible.

By town meeting vote, the first half payment on local taxes is due at the town office by the close of business Friday, Sept. 30. China selectmen hold their next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, changed from the usual Monday to avoid the Labor Day holiday.  The meeting will be preceded by a 6:55 p.m. public hearing on the annual changes to the town’s General Assistance Ordinance.

Board brought up to speed on activities and plans for new school year

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro School Board members and AOS (Alternative Organizational Structure) 92 and Vassalboro Community School (VCS) administrators spent most of the Aug. 24 board meeting catching each other up on summer activities and plans for the new school year.

While most students were on vacation, school personnel oversaw building repairs and improvements, welcomed new staff members and helped them get settled in and took part in numerous workshops, retreats and other group meetings.

Finance Director Paula Pooler said figures for the fiscal year that ended June 30 will not be final until the annual audit is finished in October, but the school unit “didn’t end the year in the red.”

Fall registration is also not complete, VCS Principal Dianna Gram said – she expects changes for the next two weeks.  AOS staff provided a 10-year enrollment survey which, despite errors and inconsistencies that school board members noted, showed a decline of more than 100 Vassalboro students since 2006.

Gram also reported that VCS’s JMG (Jobs for Maine Graduates) program received a citizenship award for the students’ community service.  AOS Superintendent Eric Haley added that the State of Maine’s JMG program serves as a national model.

School board members unanimously accepted four staff resignations and appointment of seven new staff members – an unusual number of staff changes, Gram said, and Haley said the same had been true in Waterville and Winslow schools.

New staff are: Sarah Leach, fifth-grade teacher; Breeanne Desmond, sixth-grade teacher; John Jefferson, special education teacher; Lisa Arzola, fourth-grade teacher; Destiny Poulin, third-grade teacher; Sheldon Eames, Title I Educational Technician II; and Hilary Martin, Educational Technician II.

Resignations were accepted from fifth-grade teacher William Brooks, Educational Technician II Ashley Gooldrup, fourth-grade teacher Jennifer Isbell and eighth-grade teacher Julie Houston.

The school board’s Sept. 20 meeting will be preceded by an informal gathering with new staff members, scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at the school.  The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m.